It's official

I'm in! :D I won't be taking any graduate level courses until the fall semester begins. Though I am enrolled to take a prerequisite course this summer, which starts in two weeks. So I guess it's time to buy some notebooks. I'm a student again. Wow!

You need to read this

I come to you today with something very important to share. What I am about to show you might change your life. So if you aren't prepared for something so drastic, please avert your eyes.

I present to you: the weirdest looking fish ever.


Ohai! I iz a cowfish.


My flesh is poisonous! I kiss you!


I have weird horns so you can't swallow me!

We spotted this thing in an aquarium in a bar downtown last night. It left big smooch marks on the side of the tank in the algae. After asking the bartender what kind of fish it was, I began researching it. I learned that if you stress the fish too much, it will release a poison that can kill all of the other fish in the tank.

Also, if you look closely, you'll see it has some kind of leg-like limbs sticking out of the back of its body... almost like it started to evolve but then was like, "Wait. You know what? Being a fish is cool. Nevermind."

That's all for now. Thanks for your vegetarian recipe/cookbook suggestions! We're going to order one soon.

Remember me?

Geeze, doesn't anyone take care of this blog anymore? Look at all of these weeds! Total dilapidation. (Hey, isn't that a dinosaur?)

I can't say that I'm back for good, but it's time to check in. Who left all of these lights on? Were you people raised in a barn? (I never really understood that saying. Do barns have a lot of lights in them or something?)

I'm still waiting for my official acceptance letter from the graduate program. I know the director told me I'm in, but when you are as good at worrying as I am, you don't let something like that stop you.

Since the last time I've updated, my home has become overrun with spiders. Andrew refuses to kill them because he apparently only kills "gross" bugs. Therefore, if the spider doesn't look like it has fur or enough guts to audibly crunch when stepped on, he lets it live on our ceilings in perpetuity. I hate it. So out of necessity, I've had to take on the role of Spider Evictor Extraordinaire. Using empty yogurt cups or the lids from Chinese takeout, I scrape the little bastards from the walls and ceilings (if I can reach) and then throw the entire contraption outside while screaming. I've really perfected the process. (Now is the time for you to verbally lash my husband for leaving me to the bug removal duties. Thanks.)

Let's see... what else. What else...

Oh! After watching only 5 seconds of Food Inc. (a film that exposes America's industrialized food system and its effect on our environment, health, economy and workers' rights) I decided I can no longer consume food that was once a tortured animal. Andrew and I are not going full vegetarian/vegan, but we are going to cut back on meat and buy locally, organically raised products exclusively. Also, as much as it pains me to admit this, I don't think I will ever be able to enjoy a spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy's again.

I will never give up sushi... so my goal is to one day be a pescatarian--eliminating all meat and poultry from my diet.

Andrew would like to buy a vegetarian cookbook but isn't sure what is out there. I know I have some veggie readers out there, so please chime in if there are any books or tips you would like to share/suggest.

XOXO

A few steps closer

Oh my gosh! I am just so excited right now. Things are falling exactly into place.

I met with the director of the program to which I applied and she told me that I'm in. It's not official yet, but I'm taking her word for it! :D

This afternoon I talked to my boss about the program and she shares my excitement. She said she will be as flexible with me as possible to help me complete the degree. (Classes start at 4:30 p.m., so with her blessing I can leave work 45 minutes early two days per week. That's a big deal!)

Want to know more? It is a master's of education degree--but I won't be a teacher. The degree will allow me work in the homes of very young children with autism--equipping the kids and their families with skills they need to confront day to day challenges. I'll also help them navigate the myriad of services available to them.

This is exactly the kind of work I've felt led to do for a few years. I'm so happy that I found a program so aligned with my interests. And the cherry on top is that through my benefits at work, I will only have to pay 10 percent of the tuition. A master's degree student-loan-free. Can you believe this? Ahhhh!